Saturday, November 04, 2006

Earlier this week, Microsoft senior counsel Fred Tipson said concerns about repression in China might make it reconsider its presence there.

Then came Microsoft's corporate response:

"Microsoft is not considering the suspension of the company's internet services in China." ... "On the contrary, it is committed to continuing to offer services and communications tools in China as it believes it is better for customers that Microsoft is present in global markets with these tools and services as this can not only promote greater communication, but can also help to foster economic opportunity and social collaboration." (emphasis mine)

Translation: There is too much money to be made in China, and we'd be idiots to do anything to upset that "economic opportunity". Did you really expect Microsoft to act any different?